Originally aired as our 148th episode, this Best Of replay is a riveting one. Although the writer/producer grew up in Hawaii, his childhood was far from paradise; enduring a cornucopia of PTSD, leaving him wondering what is real and what isn’t. He also shares his obsession with cults and the time he joined one to write about it and almost lost his mind.
Kaja Sokola is a model-turned-psychologist and therapist–and one of Poland’s first public figures in mental health. She opens up about her battles with eating disorders, the work she’s done to overcome the psychological abuse that comes with working in the modeling industry, and the trauma of being one of the youngest victims of Harvey Weinstein’s crimes.
Dr. Margaret Rutherford is a clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker. Throughout the course of her work, she noticed something that she calls Perfectly Hidden Depression, emotional pain camouflaged by achievement, tight emotional control, and a perfect-seeming life. If this sounds like you, look for her book Perfectly Hidden Depression Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Challenge the Ten Traits of Perfectionism That Mask Your Depression.
Sari Cooper is the founder and Director of the Center for Love and Sex. A professional dancer turned sex therapist, Sari opens up about her path to this profession, including her own family history of mental illness. She also talks about her work and how you can begin to work through shame and build your sexual self-esteem.
A powerful and intimate conversation and one of Paul’s favorites (and the origin of the “Herbert’s Butthole” riff). Originally aired in 2015, the then 28 year-old Syrian opens up about always being the minority wherever she lives (She was born in Syria, grew up in Brazil and now lives in the US), racism towards Arabs, recovering from sexual abuse, battling depression and anxiety and how getting help has saved her life. Her boyfriend Haydn, whose episode was rerun a few weeks ago also sits in on the interview.
Danny O’Connor is an elite professional boxer and former member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. He’s also the author of the book Weight Class: A Fighter’s Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder. He opens up about his own struggles with disordered eating in the hopes that more men will see that they are not alone.
Jenny Zigrino (a.k.a. Peggy Poundstone) is a comedian and writer of smut. She discusses the loss of her beloved sister, her struggles with endometriosis, and what inspired her to begin writing queer erotica. Keep an eye out for her new stand-up tour, Afterbirth. This interview is bookended by roughly 40 mins before and 40 mins after with Listener Surveys/Confessions from an ep in 2014.
Dr. Monique Thompson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who helps couples heal from infidelity. She also has significant experience with treating predatory sexual behavior. She offers her insights on how people can heal from both issues and specifically offers resources for couples and individuals who have cheated and have been cheated on.
Fellow Midwesterner opens up to Paul about her battles with BiPolar including a hospitalization, and her struggles with vices.